Livia Lone by Barry Eisler

There are two types of people I would gladly see put to death in this world and that is people who abuse animals and child rapists. I’d even volunteer to be the executioner if no one else is willing to throw the switch or pull the trigger or whatever. When I read Livia Lone by Barry Eisler, I was able to live vicariously through Livia, a detective based on the west coast who does her utmost to make airtight cases against child molesters and rapists but sometimes things she can’t control happen: a prosecutor just putting in their time, a judge who believes in rehabilitation, etc. In those instances Livia makes sure justice is done (meaning the perpetrator meets an untimely death) This woman kicks butt – she does not put up with any crap from anyone. Although there is graphic sex, I think I would give this book to my teenage daughter if I had one and say now THAT is the definition of a strong woman. Livia was not just born this way though – she was made into the machine she is and the story is all about the horrors she endured to become the adult she is and her quest to find her sister who was separated from her early in their lives as sexual toys for grown men. Absolutely fantastic.